CLEVELAND, OHIO.... Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) today announced the promotion of Jerry R. Whitaker to the position of Vice President-Power and Control Systems Operation for its Cutler-Hammer business unit, effective immediately.

Whitaker had been general manager of the Cutler-Hammer Engineering Services and Systems Operation (CHESS) in Pittsburgh. He replaces David M. Adams, who has been promoted to Vice President-Hydraulics and Aerospace Integration in connection with Eaton's announced intention to acquire Aeroquip-Vickers, Inc.

Eaton's Power and Control Systems Operation is headquartered in Milwaukee. Whitaker will continue to report to David M. Wathen, Senior Vice President and Group Executive of Cutler-Hammer, who is located in Pittsburgh.

"The success of CHESS and Jerry's leadership of that start-up organization are indicative of the personal qualities, attributes and overall professionalism he has brought to our organization," said Wathen. "We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Jerry's stature ready to step in and lead our power and control systems business."

Whitaker joined Eaton with the Westinghouse Distribution and Control Business Unit (DCBU) acquisition in 1994, and then served as marketing manager for the Power Distribution Assemblies Division until being named to his current position when CHESS was formed in 1997.

Whitaker held several sales and product management posts between 1972 and 1989 before becoming plant manager of the Sumter, South Carolina electrical equipment plant in 1989, and marketing manager for the Construction Equipment Division of DCBU in 1991. He holds an electrical engineering degree from Syracuse University and MBA in finance from George Washington University.

Eaton Corporation is a global manufacturer of highly engineered products that serve industrial, vehicle, construction, commercial and semiconductor markets. Principal products include electrical power distribution and control equipment, truck drivetrain systems, engine components, hydraulic products, ion implanters and a wide variety of controls. Headquartered in Cleveland, the company has 49,500 employees and 155 manufacturing sites in 25 countries around the world. Sales for 1998 were $6.6 billion.